2024 Election Insights from the Vance and Walz Debate

2024 Election: A Critical Perspective on the Vice Presidential Debate

JD Vance and Tim Walz faced off in a policy-focused and relatively cordial vice presidential debate on Tuesday night, presenting an opportunity for the campaigns to build momentum in a race where polls have barely budged. Kamala Harris has seen a modest, yet consistent, national polling lead since replacing President Joe Biden at the top of the Democratic ticket in July. She received a slight polling bounce after her debate against Trump, perceived as the winner. However, the swing states crucial for determining the outcome remain a toss-up.

The debate coincided with a tumultuous week both domestically and internationally. Hurricane Helene caused devastation across parts of the Southeastern U.S., significantly impacting key swing states like Georgia and North Carolina. Also, escalating tensions in the Middle East could lead to an October surprise in the race.

The prolonged strike of dockworkers on the East Coast raises concerns about potential chaos within supply chains, complicating matters for the Biden administration as the election approaches.

Five Key Takeaways from the Vice Presidential Debate

• Vance and Walz Do No Harm in Policy-Focused Debate
• The Vance-Walz debate was notably more civil and focused on policies compared to the Harris-Trump debate.
• Both candidates acknowledged their opponents’ intentions to address issues like immigration and gun violence.
• Neither candidate made major errors that could jeopardize their campaigns.
• The debate highlighted key issues such as the economy, immigration, foreign policy, and abortion.

This vice presidential debate may have been the last chance for the campaigns to articulate their visions to a national audience. As the 2024 election draws near, the implications of this debate will linger in the minds of voters.